Episodes

Dennis Benigno is the founder and CEO of Street Cop Training and began formal police instruction in 2012. His law enforcement career began in 2001 at 19 years of age as an NJ Corrections Officer. In 2004, Benigno became a police officer with the US Park Police Dept. in Washington, DC, and in 2005 moved over to the position of a police officer in one of NJ’s largest municipalities. He has received multiple awards including but not limited to Lifesaving, Meritorious Service, Mayor’s Award for Exce...

Chance meetings are never by chance. Lavana Wilson and Tashiann Yasmine are two strong and spirited women who empower their community in all the positive ways possible. Together they create to change the face of empowerment in the face of adversity through love and life’s purpose. Lavana (Slayer V) Wilson is a Mom, YouTube Podcaster, creative director, lifestyle blogger, influencer, community activist, motivational speaker, life coach and fashion expert whom was born and raised in the city of P...

Bobby Crudele comes from a family that has deep roots in Jersey City and Belleville and as a kid moved to North Arlington. After living in Jersey City for a decade as an adult, Bobby met his wife Kara and eventually bought a house in North Arlington where he currently resides and raises his 3 children. Bobby has served honorably as a Sergeant in the North Arlington Police department and will finish his career with distinction this year. His deep love of sports rose out of I growing up on the pla...

Part 2 Mike Arena began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age starting out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by The New Jersey Department of Corrections and became a Corrections Officer and worked in multiple prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department located in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to N...

Part 1 Mike Arena began his law enforcement career in 2011 at 19 years of age starting out as a Special Law Enforcement Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. He was then hired by The New Jersey Department of Corrections and became a Corrections Officer and worked in multiple prisons throughout the state. After a few years of working in corrections, Mike became a police officer with Prince George’s County Police Department located in Maryland. In 2017, he transferred back to N...

Jose L. Medina is currently a 27-year veteran and leader of Law Enforcement and 20 year owner of Awareness Protective consultants, doing business as Team APC-Medina Tactical Dynamics. Jose has an extensive background in training and consulting for various groups such as Law Enforcement, Military, School Educators, and Corporate Industries. Jose Medina started his consulting firm when he saw the need for both the Police and Civilian side organizations requiring more advanced education in the fiel...

Tammie Starnes has taken a journey with multiple traumas and found a new direction on healing. Finding an avenue of healing through the Harmonic Egg therapy. When hope was waining for her 11 year old daughter to come out of her shell, Tammie was out of options and sought help in any place that was offered. Almost non-verbal, a new therapy method was found in the Harmonic Egg Vibration healing. The results were staggering and almost immediate leading a new path in Tammies life showing the possibi...

Episode 129: The Suffering of Bullying with Jay Aponte We welcome back Jay Aponte to The Suffering Podcast. Jay gave a second chance to Kevin in Episode 12 (original air date 3/7/21). (Original show notes) We get a second chance to right a wrong in the episode of The Suffering Podcast. We talk with Jay Aponte who 34 years ago I put through hell. Jay gets the opportunity to confront his childhood bully -- Me. We sit down and hash it out to reach an understanding about events that have shaped my...

Nick Ricciotti attended Chestnut Hill College to play Division 2 baseball and received my BA in Criminal Justice. Nick worked as a cop in Morris County NJ for 6 years before losing my job due to substance and alcohol abuse. Prior to losing his job Nick’s mental health was at a decline which got worse during the process of losing the job he loved. Eventually the initiative was taken to start therapy and recovery. Nick is currently 2.5 years sober, attending Rutgers University to receive a Master...

Mary Sciarrone (née Valastro) is one of the owners of the world famous Carlos Bakery and featured on the reality show Cake Boss alongside her family and brother Buddy Valestro. Her unique personality shines through and has become a fan favorite for her insight and savvy business skills. Mary has been able to keep a business running for such a long time after taking it over from her parents and has performed at the highest level. In this episode, we will go through her climb to the top, her strug...

Part 2 of this amazing story Mike's life was on the fast track to success. As a proud Marine and College student in his Senior year, Mike's life came to an abrupt halt one cold winter night in 2005. Mike was celebrating with his friends and decided to get behind the wheel of his car after having too much to drink. His vehicle slipped on a patch of black ice and violently crashed. The accident killed his friend and left Mike in a coma suffering multiple life-threatening injuries. After years of r...

Part 1 of this amazing story Mike's life was on the fast track to success. As a proud Marine and College student in his Senior year, Mike's life came to an abrupt halt one cold winter night in 2005. Mike was celebrating with his friends and decided to get behind the wheel of his car after having too much to drink. His vehicle slipped on a patch of black ice and violently crashed. The accident killed his friend and left Mike in a coma suffering multiple life-threatening injuries. After years of r...

Roman is a 1st generation immigrant from Ukraine. He arrived in US with 6 other family members to a 2 bedroom apartment. Roman interned with the Secret Service and held a top secret government clearance. He was forced to become a self taught digital marketer as a result of the 2008 recession, and fell in love with it. Roman has 13 years of experience leading digital teams in senior leadership roles on over 600 campaigns across many industries. He founded Nova Zora Digital in 2012. Roman is the h...

Damon Hayes came to prominence as a star football player for Rutgers University. Playing Defensive Back for the Scarlett Knights, Damon knew that he must work hard to achieve his goals. His football ability afforded one of the greatest gifts in life, a college education. When his career was over, Damon chose to take a new path and follow the road less traveled. An aspiring Film Producer and Movie Director, Damon found a love and a passion out of his comfort zone, but his coachable attitude and w...

Paul Cimins is a renowned personality in the autism advocacy community and the President of Autism Radio, a501(c)3 charity. He is an autism dad and podcast host. Paul has dedicated his life to raising awareness about autism and helping families impacted by autism. Paul's journey in autism advocacy started when his son Jonathan was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. This diagnosis changed Paul's life, and he became determined to do everything he could to help his son and other families aff...

One of our dearest friends, and most loyal supporters, joined us once again in the studio to go over a very sensitive subject. Mike DePalma has seen war, a career in law-enforcement, and a personal battle that would cripple most. Multiple concussive blasts, while overseas in the army coupled with on the job injuries as a police officer have left Mike with a diagnosed traumatic brain injury. Brain scans on Mike are alarming, and may be the reason for his earlier erratic behavior. Will delve into ...

Josh Vadell is a husband and father of three girls. He is a 10- year veteran of the Atlantic City Police Department where he served in the Operations Division. On September 3, 2016, while on duty, Josh was shot in the head and critically injured while he and his partner interrupted an armed robbery in progress. Since his near fatal incident, Josh has persevered through extensive physical and emotional therapy and numerous surgeries for injuries sustained during the shooting. However, this is no...

Stacey lived a life of chaos that began at birth. Born into a life of instability, drug abuse, and neglect, having to recreate her childhood as an adult. The chaos led her to a life on the streets of Trenton hopeless, broken, angry, and lost. Stacey refused to let her mistakes or the mistakes of others define her future. Life began in 2018 when Stacey made the choice to get sober and abandon the victim mentality. She now dedicates her life to helping other lost hopeless souls. Working at a medic...

Chris Anderson has led a life of service working as a homicide detective on the streets of Birmingham Alabama. We are honored to have Chris in studio for this extra special episode to talk about how the police profession slowly eats away at your soul. Working effectively for a full career led Chris to be featured on A&E’s First 48 then led him to investigate wrongful prosecutions on Reasonable Doubt on ID Discovery. Now you can find Chris on his podcast Crime and Cookie Juice as well as his new...

Frank Failace Sr. has led a wild life but always remains a steadfast rock to his two sons. Born in Jersey City in the heyday of all sorts of turmoil, Frank’s spirit shines through in an entrepreneurial spirit. The stories and names all resonate of a time when life was simpler but just as wild. This very special episode pulls at your heartstrings and documents a man who has done and seen it all. Joined in studio by his two sons, Frank and our very own Mike, this fun and wild ride will be on the s...

Earl Granville, a combat wounded veteran was two weeks into in boot camp at Ft Benning with his twin brother Joe, when 9/11 happened. On his final tour, he lost his left leg through the knee to a roadside bomb while on patrol. He is currently working with many non-profits such as Operation Enduring Warrior, the Oscar Mike Foundation and Warrior Strong. These 501c3s help keep wounded and disabled veterans and law enforcement physically active after their injuries. After becoming an amputee and th...

After 2 years of The Suffering Podcast, not everything goes as smoothly as we would hope. There are times where our guests have to cancel. Some for good and just reasons and some for less than honorable motives. Whether it be an emergency or just plain cold feet there are moments when we have to scramble and come up with a show that day on the fly. In this Episode we discuss the good and the bad, the weird and the inconsiderate. We always learn something in the end. Find The Suffering Podcast Th...

The inspiration for Laurice Duffy’s career is deeply personal. From a young age, others have turned to her for counsel and advice. Laurice later turned innate listening and empathy skills into a career with a BA in psychology and a certification from the institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Losing her husband Kevin after a long battle with ALS and eventual passing was a turning point in her life testing Laurice’s resolve. His illness shined a light on the limiting beliefs and behav...

It’s always a great day when a Jersey boy makes it to the big leagues. John Valentin has had an amazing career. Rising through the ranks with his talent for baseball and making it to the pros playing for the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and as a Hidden coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. After retirement John has Taken his wealth of Experience and passing it on to the next generation so they don’t have to suffer as most pro athletes. Find John Valentin Northeast Financial Network LinkedIn Find...